Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-30
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
Concerning Changes in Grain, the Soils of
Different Localities, Etc.

Concerning Changes in Grain, the Soils of
Different Localities, Etc.
1t Is the almost unanimous opinion of
farmers, and confidently asserted that thew
have observed it as fact, that wheat I'M
der certain climatic conditions, poor and
improper cultivation, wet and cold ground.
using the same seed continually on the
same soil, will revert or change to cheat.
1t has been their observation that fields
when planted to wheat, and where no
cheat had been previously seen, for some
cause did so change. Scientists ON the
contrary say that it is impossible claiming
that cheat belongs to a different species OF
grass, which they call chess or daruel (bo-
tanical name Bronlus Secaiinus), and it is said
to produce narcotic effects if ground into
Hour with the wheat and made into bread
and eaten. They claim that the cheat is
always more or less among the wheat, but
not observed by the farmer when good
crop OF wheat is produced. But when the
wheat fails to grow Or is drowned out, then
the cheat takes the ground. We met at
Gridley an intelligent farmer who gave us
the results of Il trial he had made to con-
firm whether wheat really did change to
cheat, which certainly makes the farmers,
theory strong one. He took two boxes,
filled them with ordinary soil of like
quality, placed them side by side, so that
both should be subjected exactly to
the same influences of the sun and
shade, and planted them with
a like quantity and same variety of wheat.
One he irrigated sufficiently to insure a
healthy growth, and the other what he
deemed excessively, or, as he termed il.
drowned out" Both grew, not much diff
terence being observed, the forage leaves
being almost undistinguishable. but when
they headed out the one that had been
properly irrigated produced good heads of
true wheat, and the one that had been
drowned out" had not-a single head of
wheat--all was cheat. We leave the
scientists and farmers to draw their own
conclusions, and explain the phenomenon
OF the experiment.
THE PURCHASE OF LANDS.
We know of no more contented COM
munity than the citizens of Gridley, or
where the people take such pride in their
surroundings. They know and assert that
they have the best lands in the State We
do not believe there is a man who desires
to change his residence. The only regrets
we heard was from few of the landless,
who had not improved their opportunities
to acquire some of the fertile acres, when
they could have done SO before they had
become so valuable. We do not know of
q CInuIp individual -lo e. Il.
place and offering to dispose of all his
land for the purpose of removal. Some
are willing to dispose of portion, in order
that the country may become more thickly
populated, but no one desires to sell all.
A visitor is not importuned by any one,
either owner or agent, to purchase this or
that tract; but should he express desire
to see or purchase land, he will be taken
to such lands as he describes he may wish
to invest in and the price will be named.
The lands, considering their quality and
productiveness, are certainly very low,
when compared with other lands similarly
located as to markets.
LINE-OAK LANDS.
The liYe-oak lands on account of their
adaptation to diversified agriculture, GER
tainty of crops and beautiful and health
full location are held the highest-some-
where between S75 and 800 per acre,
owing to location and desire of owner to
sell. When it is considered that all the
intending settler has to do is TO put in his
crop OF any kind, and await sure return,
they are cheaper at that price than in
many localities where you have to wait to
have s-ota NJ i,rot1rrh4 70 tho,
annual tax for the same, even if
the latter were given to you without
cost. Certainly in many of the irrigation
districts where the water is not at
tached to the land the farmer will be
obliged to pay that amount for water in
ten years, and then have no title to the
right.
ADOBE LANDS.
The adobe lands, on account of this
section being almost exclusively de-
voted to grain-at least it is their
main reliance - are held next in
valu c. With Il proper season, it has been
proven that there are no stronger grain
lands in the State. But occasionally, in
very dry season, they do not do SO we'll
and in the past wet season was not deemed
very propitious, the ground being too wet
and cold. This cause has been removed. or
or in great extent mitigated, by the con-
struction of bitches for drainage purposes
the slope of the country giving every ia
cility for the rapid removal of the water.
These lands are held at an average of $40
to 500 per acre. They are situated to the
westward of Gridley, commencing about
three miles from town and extending to
the Buttes.
THE BOTTOM LANDS OF THE FEATHER
RIVER,
Along the river of that name, extend up
and down it for many miles, and are an
average OF three miles in width. some
places narrower and others wider. At
present they are nearly all in alfalfa,
though some few tracts have very fine or
chards on them. They are but seldom
overflowed, and then for but short time,
as the even growth of alfalfa on them
testifies, that plant being easily drowned
out If long under water
These lands are held at about $40 per
acre, and are owned mostly in large tracts,
and by nonresident owners. Such lands.
located elsewhere, and planted to hops.
and the other crops which they alone can
grow, would be held at from five to ten
times that amount
Desirable Class of People.
The people, Judging from the number of
churches, are religious, and from, the COM
paratiye paucity of the saloons, are tenn
perate. Like all communities in Califor-
MIA, they are cosmopolitan in character,
but large number are from the Western
Stases, and the stamp of their characters
ties is apparent. They have that peculiar
frankness and manly dignity which only
come from self-reliant men who have BAT
tied with the world and forces of nature in
new countries, and conquered. This,
coupled with their generous hospitality,
makes visit among them source of
pleasure, and one not soon to be erased
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